Piraeus, Greece

The Piraeus (Πειραιάς, official transliteration Pireas) is the ancient port of Athens and still functions as the chief exit point from the city by sea for destinations among the Aegean Islands and elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean. Domestic destinations include all of the Aegean islands except the Sporades and some smaller Cyclades and Dodecanese isles that require a connection. International destinations (apart from cruise ships) include Cyprus and the Middle East.

Piraeus occupies a huge territory. Check your gate number in advance so you know where to go. It may take 15 minutes of driving or 30 minutes of walking to reach one end of the port from the other.

Since privatization of the Port of Piraeus Authority passenger facilities have improved greatly. Air-conditioned tents have been set up at departure locations around the port and free wi-fi internet access is now... Read more

The Piraeus (Πειραιάς, official transliteration Pireas) is the ancient port of Athens and still functions as the chief exit point from the city by sea for destinations among the Aegean Islands and elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean. Domestic destinations include all of the Aegean islands except the Sporades and some smaller Cyclades and Dodecanese isles that require a connection. International destinations (apart from cruise ships) include Cyprus and the Middle East.

Piraeus occupies a huge territory. Check your gate number in advance so you know where to go. It may take 15 minutes of driving or 30 minutes of walking to reach one end of the port from the other.

Since privatization of the Port of Piraeus Authority passenger facilities have improved greatly. Air-conditioned tents have been set up at departure locations around the port and free wi-fi internet access is now available.

Sailings (arrivals and departures) are posted outside the Coast Guard Building at Karaiskaki Square, the main bus terminal for the Piraeus suburbs. Sailings are also available online from the Ministry of Merchant Marine.

The area can become hectic, especially during the summer period, so allow plenty of time to navigate to the correct departure point.

During the "summer season", a large number of cruise ships call on the port of Piraeus. Modest-sized ships dock near Gate E11, within an easy walk of the Cruise Terminal A (Miaoulis). Large ships dock about 400 meters farther away near Gate E12, closer to the busy entrance to this harbor. In June 2013, a newly expanded Cruise Terminal B (Themistocles) opened near Gate E12. The two terminals can handle up to 25,000 passengers per day. When Terminal B is closed, and all passenger facilities are handled by Terminal A, a shuttle bus links the ship(s) docked at Terminal B to Terminal A.

From the Cruise Terminal, which is approximately a mile south of the Metro station, you could take a taxi, or you might find a city bus N° 859, 843 or 826 at Miaoulis avenue at the Apheteria bus stop in between E11 and E12. They all make a stop at the metro station (Stathmos ISAP). Buy a combined ticket (bus, metro subway, valid until 90 minutes after validation) and validate it when on board. Otherwise, you face a 20-minute walk with gates to ferry and freight docks on the shore side, and various commercial and civic buildings on the other side of the very busy Miaoulis Avenue. Stay on the harbor side of the road, and pass several gates all starting with the letter 'E'. The Metro Station (a yellow neoclassical building with white trim) is opposite gate E6 and is accessible by the (only) pedestrian bridge over the busy port road. From here, Metro Line 1 (green) links Piraeus with downtown Athens' Monastiraki station in 20 minutes; train departs every 10 minutes between 6:00 and 24:00.

The center of Piraeus and the Port can be negotiated easily on foot if you are not carrying luggage. Yellow trolley buses (trolley bus no 20) are useful for the run from the Port to Passalimani and then follow the very scenic route around the hill of Castella, terminating at the Line 1 Metro station of Neon Phaleron (Neo Faliro), near the Peace & Friendship and Karaiskaki Stadiums.

Free shuttle buses inside the Port run from across the Metro Line 1 Terminal Station, around the north side of the port to the ships sailing for Crete, the Eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese.

, 31 Ch. Trikoupi Street. Established in 1935 and expanded in 1966, the Piraeus Museum is small in size, yet holds a number of significant pieces in its collection. These included bronze statues of Apollo and Athena from the Archaic and Classical periods of Greek art, as well as a fine collection of funerary stelae.

Municipal Theater of Piraeus, 34 Iroon Polytechniou ave. Completed in 1895, the Municipal Theater (Greek: Δημοτικό Θέατρο, Dimotiko Theatro) has been a hallmark of Piraeus for over a century. During its extended history, it has hosted not only plays featuring renowned actors and music concerts by great composers (Manos Hatzidakis, Mikis Theodorakis and more), but also the

and the Historic Archives. Restoration work was completed in 2013 and the theater is now dedicated to its original purpose of holding theatrical plays.

Piraeus Terminal Station. One of the oldest of its kind in Greece, built on the site of Piraeus's first conventional train station, it was completed in 1929. Its original interior arch design and exterior architecture have been restored before the 2004 Olympic Games. Since 2005 it also houses the Electric Railway Museum.

The most important thing to do is to take a ferry to the Greek Islands. You also can have a nice walk in the Pasalimani/Mikrolimano area and look at many amazing yachts and ships.

Another major option is to take the Metro to various parts of Athens. Cost is very modest, and service is very frequent.

Municipal Beach.

Olympiacos Stadium. Olimpiacos is one of the giants of Greek football, having been Greek champions more times than any other club. Their rivalry with Panathinaikos, based in neighboring Athens, is widely regarded as one of the most intense in the world.

Eat

Piraeus, being a major port for centuries, offers numerous fish bistros (Greek: psarotaverna) spread along the coastline, especially along Pasalimani and Mikrolimano Bays.

Delfino Restaurant, 60, Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano, ☎ +30 2104120388. Located in Mikrolimano, a cozy bay with hundreds of sailing boats. Excellent seafood restaurant - try the fresh fish on the grill and fresh lobster with linguini. Warm and professional service. Amazing the indoor and outdoor areas. For mid/high budgets.

Drink

Good cafes are very scarce in the port.

Coffee Right: next to the metro station, around Piraeus gate E8. Recommended by employees of the port. Cozy place, great pastries, and coffee—but unfriendly and sometimes overcomplicated service. Only a few speak English, coffee and pastries served (and paid for) from three(!) different counters.

Rockstories: a few meters from Piraeus Terminal. A bar open all day around, it serves coffee in the morning, sandwiches and snacks by noon and drinks after sunset. Throughout the day it plays classic and contemporary rock music and, periodically, live venues.

Bouboulina. At the end of the marina, Bouboulina has an extensive terrace overlooking the open sea. Service is relaxed but rather higher-end and friendly. The drink and food menu has many options to choose from, and while one would come here for the view more for culinary delights, Bouboulina does not disappoint at that front either.

The main street for apparel shopping in Piraeus is Sotiros Dios, pedestrianized for the most part and quite nice to walk through, going uphill from the port and the downhill towards the Marina. There are also many shops and cafes along the harbor front, especially toward the cruise terminal and near the Metro station.

Piraeus is a rather chaotic place with traffic that's horrendous even for Greece. Particular caution should be used when crossing the street, or when walking along the pavement by the ferry quays where cars, taxis, and trucks often drive randomly among the crowds of travelers walking to and from the boats.

Piraeus is a huge port filled with sailors, and parts of it are about as tough as you'd expect such a place to be. The areas right by the ferry quays are safe enough, but avoid wandering around the rest of Piraeus, especially at night, unless you know your way around.

Unlicensed taxi drivers often meet arriving ferries. Unlike in some countries, these taxis have a bad reputation and should not be considered as a cheap alternative to licensed cabs.

Pickpocketing gangs have been reported working on the Piraeus-Airport bus; for a full description see the Athens Stay Safe section.

One scam you may encounter in Piraeus is a rather subtle one. A man will walk up to you while you are waiting with your luggage in line to board a ferry. This gentleman is a consummate actor: though he doesn't actually claim to be working for the boat or port, his demeanor and behavior imply strongly that he is. He'll pick up your luggage, brushing aside any objections, and usher you with it to the head of the line, at which point he'll demand a hefty tip.

This was the most ambiguous, most expensive, and the most useful cruise.
Here is our cruise report:
We were leaving
Venice
on a sunny day. I've already taken pictures of the coast from the board of a ship several times, and now I am jealous of people standing on the...

On This Full Day 'Non Guided' Excursion, Step Back 2,500 Years To The Glory Of Athens, Visit the Magnificent Acropolis Parthenon, Shop and Dine in Plaka, and Have Family Fun at a Beautiful Nearby Beach.
Excursion type: Private Excursion, Cultural / Historical / Art, Historical Sites / UNESCO